Mowing machine



J. I. BLAIR MOWING MACHINE Feb. 9, 1943.

Filed Aug. 2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l 5 W z o \M Q i %%N\ Gil Q 7 Q Lhmkf ix ww W J \w aw J. l. BLAIR MOWING MACHINE Feb. 9, 1943.

Filed Aug. 2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. l. BLAIR MOWING MACHINE Feb. 9, 1943.

Filed Aug. 2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 A JW firrWW EY Feb. 9, 1943.

J. I. BLAIR MOWING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 9, 1943. J. BLAH; 23-31%,388

MOWING MACHINE awe. A

Patented Feb. 9, 1943 MOWING MACHINE John Insley Blair, Strourlsburg, Pa., assignor to Worthington Mower Company, Stroudsburg, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application August 2, 1940, Sei'lal No. 349,503

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in a mowing apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in a mowing machine of the type which includes a vehicle having a sickle bar associated therewith.

In general, the present invention contemplates the provision of a mowing machine which preferably includes a vehicle of the power operated tractor type and a sickle bar extending laterally therefrom. The vehicle includes a propelling power unit and the sickle bar may be of the conventional type which includes a finger bar and a reciprocable knife bar. The knife bar may be operated from any suitable source of power, but provision is preferably made for operating the knife bar from the vehicle motive power unit through suitable power transmitting mechanism. Operation of the sickle bar can be effected in various angular positions thereof so that vegetation along inclined surfaces can be conveniently cut. Thus, the mowing machine of the present invention is one which is adapted for a wide variety of uses; for instance, as a highway mower where it is necessary to cut vegetation along banks, ditches, shoulders or other inclined surfaces. A safety release is also provided for preventing damage to the driving mechanism when the sickle bar strikes an obstruction or when the knife bar becomes jammed. Provision is also made for effecting various adjustments of the sickle bar for the purpose of adjusting the cutting angle orthe cutting height thereof, and the present invention is particularly concerned with these features.

An object of the present invention is to generally improve the adjusting means for the sickle bar of a mowing machine, particularly with respect to the location, ease of manipulation and operation of the adjusting means.

Another object of the present invention is to so construct and arrange the sickle baradjusting mechanism as to substantially eliminate and prevent any interference with the various movements imparted to the sickle bar duringoperation and adjustment thereof.

A further object of the invention is to. provide a mowing machine wherein the sickle bar adjusting mechanism is mounted relative to the vehicle frame and to the sickle bar in such a manner as to prevent damage to the connections between the adjusting mechanism and the sickle bar during movements thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to I provide for angular adjustment of the'sickle bar without interfering with operation of the sickle bar and without interfering with the vertical ad- J'ustment or swing back of the sickle bar.

A still further object of the invention is to support the sickle bar on a frame which is movable relative to the vehicle and to support an adjusting mechanism on the movable frame for movement therewith and for limited movements with the sickle bar.

The above and other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the sickle bar assembly and the adjusting mechanism and its operating means, but showing a diagrammatic outline of the vehicle and frame and its relation to the sickle bar assembly.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of Figure 1 with parts removed for clearness.

Figure 3 is an enlarged rear end view of Figure 1 showing the sickle bar assembly and adjusting mechanism, showing various positions thereof, the dotted line position showing the supporting frame elevated and the sickle bar turned upwardly to a substantially vertical position.

Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the supporting bracket, partly in section, and showing the power transmitting mechanism partly in section.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view, showing the pairs of pinion gears with fixed and movable axes.

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the clutch disk.

Referring more in detail to the accompanying drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle is illustrated diagrammatically as including a supporting frame or chassis H) which is supporting on front and rear wheels ll, Ha, respectively. The power unit (not shown) may be a conventional internal combustion engine which is disposed at the forward end of the vehicle within the hood I2.

erator has easy access to the various control devices to be hereinafter more fully described.

The sickle bar assembly and power transmitting mechanism are substantially of the type and construction shown and described in the copending application of John I. Blair and Herbert Imbt, Serial No. 341,954. The sickle bar is of a conventional type and includes a finger bar l4- having forwardly extending fingers l5, and a reciprocable knife bar l6 having teeth l6a operating between the fingers l5. The finger bar is A seat l3 for the operator is provided and is located so that the opsupported on an inner shoe I1 and the entire sickle bar assembly is illustrated as extending -and are longitudinally and horizontally pivoted.

as at I8, 20, respectively, to the frame I0. Thus, the frame I8 is pivoted to the vehicle frame ID in such a manner that it is free to move vertically with respect to the vehicle.

A brace member 2| has the ends thereof secured to the tubular extensions I3a, I8b, for strengthening the frame I8 and is provided with a lug 22 which is aligned with a depending lug 23 on the member I8. Both lugs are provided with aligned apertures in which a shaft 24 is carried and disposed transversely of the vehicle. A hearing member 25 is Joumalled on the shaft 24 for tilting movement and includes a cover portion 23 and a base portion 21 which has an aperture 23 therethrough and a depending annular shoulder 29. A crank 30 passes through a bracket 3| on the extension I81; and is threadedly connected to a yoke 32 which is pivotally connected to the bearing bracket 23, as at 33. Manipulation ofthe crank 30 will change the inclination of the bearing bracket 25 around the shaft 24 so that the inclination of the sickle bar relative to the ground will also be changed. The sickle bar assembly is supported from the bracket 23 in the manner to be hereinafter pointed out.

A shoe supporting bracket 34 (Figure 4) has a top surface which is provided with an aperture 33 registering with the aperture 28 in the bracket 23 and with an annular depressed portion 33 into which the depending annular shoulder 29 fits. A circular plate 31 is disposed beneath the bottom surface of the bracket 34 and is provided with an aperture 38 registering with the apertures 28, 33. The plate 31 is also provided with an upstanding annular rib 39 which fits within an annular recess 40 formed on the under surface of the bracket 34. The base portion 21 of the bearing bracket 23 is secured to the plate 31 by bolts 4| which extend through slots 4Ia in the bracket 34 so that the bearing bracket 23 and the plate 3! are fixed with respect to each other and form a hearing or swivel connection between whch the bracket 34 can rotate relative thereto (see Fig. 4) as shown by the dotted line position of Figure 2. 1

The supporting-bracket 34 is provided with a depending rear arm 42 having an aperture to receive a supporting shaft 43 which is keyed thereto, as at 44. One end of the shaft 43 extends rearwardly of the arm 42 and has rotatably mounted thereon a bracket member 43 fixed to the rear end of the shoe II. The opposite end of the shaft 43 is provided with stepped portions 43, 43a, 43b and an enlarged substantially central portion 41 having an aperture 41a therethrough. The stepped portion 43 at the forward end of the shaft 43 terminates short of a depending arm 43 at the forward end of the bracket 34 and the arm 43 has rotatably mounted therein a stub shaft 43 which is keyed as at 430 to an upstanding arm 33 fixed to the forward end of the shoe II.

The power transmitting mechanism and driving means for the sickle bar will be only briefly described, because it is substantially the same as that shown in the above-mentioned application. Reference is particularly made to Figures 4 and 5 wherein the rear end of the stub seen u is provided with a bevel gear 3| surrounding the l stepped portion 43 on the shaft 43. The stepped 4 portion 43b has a double-faced bevel gear 32 loosely mounted thereon for rotation relative thereto. A pin 41b is secured in the aperture 41a by a bolt 410 or the like. The opposite ends of the pin 41!: extend beyond the enlarged portion 41 and have pinion gears 33 rotatably mounted thereon and in mesh with the adjacent face of the bevel gear '32 and also with a bevel gear 34 rotatably mounted on the shaft 43. The op-.

posite face of the bevel gear 32 in mesh with pinion gears 33 which are rotatab r. mounted on.

stub shafts 53a which provide'mo'ving axescarried by an oil-tight housing 33. This housing 33 incloses the gearing and is mounted outside of the bevel gear 3| and the bevel gear 34 and is oscillatablerelative thereto. The pinion gears 33 are also in mesh with the bevel gear 3|.

The housing 33 has an upstanding arm 31 extending through the aligned openings in the connection between the bracket 23, the plate 3'! and the bearing bracket 34. The arm 31 bass. rounded end 38 which is connected to a pitman rod 39 by a ball-and-socket joint 33 below the cover portion 23 on the bracket 23. The opposite end of the pitman rod extends toward the vehicle frame and is connected to a pitman bearing 3| which, in turn, is connected to a crank disk 32. Preferably, the crank disk 32 is of the clutch type shown in the copending application of John I. Blair and Herbert Im-bt, Serial No. 294,956, and the crank disk is rotated by means of a conventional power take-off 33. The details of one form of crank disk 32 are shown in Figure 6 wherein the disk includes casing membersi23, I2| secured together and providing an internal chamber within which a clutch plate I22 is disposed. This clutch plate is secured to the power take-oi! shaft 33a and is rotatable therewith. Friction clutch facings I24, I23 are disposed on opposite sides of the plate I22 with the facing I23 enga g he inner surface of the casing'member |2| and the adjacent surface of the plate I22. The casing member I23 is recessed to receive separate plates or an annular plate I23 which is pressed by springs |2'| against the facing I24 which, in turn, is pressed against the plate I22. The casing member |2I carries an eccentrically mounted stud I23 which is connected to the pitman bearing 3|. Thus, any Jamming of the knife bar will cause slipping of the clutch to prevent damage to the driving mechanism. The clutch may be located at other places, as, for instance. in the power transmitting mechanism.

Reciprocation of the pitman rod 33 will oscillate the housing 33 with resultant operation of the gears inclosed therein so as to effect the desired reciprocation of the knife bar I3 which is connected to the bevel gear 34 by a depending arm 34 and a pivotal link 33. The rotary motion of the crank disk causes reciprocation of the pitman rod which, in turn, causes oscillation of the housing relative to the shafts 43 and 43. This movement ofthe housing 33 will cause similar bodily movement of the pinion gears 33 which are carried by the housing and which are in mesh with the bevel gear II. The bevel gear II is car- -ried by the shaft 43 which is fixed to the shoe the bevel gear 52 is oscillated about the stationary shaft 43 and rotation and oscillation of the fixed axis pinion gears 53 will be effected. These pinion gears 53, in turn, cause oscillation of the bevel gear 54 to which the arm 64 is connected so that this arm 64 is oscillated and operates through the link 65 to effect reciprocation of the knife bar. As pointed out in the above-mentioned applications, this power transmitting mechanism permits the sickle bar to be operated in any angularly adjusted cutting position without alteration of the stroke thereof and the differential action of the gearing permits adjustment of the sickle bar to its various cutting positions without stopping the power connection. The pitman connections 6 9, BIa at the ends thereof permit a swing back or safety release of the sickle bar and the supporting bracket 34 against the action of the spring 66 which is connected to the vehicle frame and to an arm 61 on the bracket 34 when striking an obstruction (see Figure 2). Similarly, the clutch type crank disk will prevent damage to the operating parts when the knife bar becomes jammed.

The supporting frame I8 thusv carries the entire sickle bar assembly and, in order to counterbalance the normal tendency of the sickle bar assembly to drop, a chain 68, cable or the like, is connected to the frame I8, as at 68a, and is passed over a pulley 68b on the vehicle frame. A spring 89 is employed for loading the chain and thus counterbalancing the weight of the sickle bar assembly. In order to adjust the cutting height of the sickle bar, a hand lever I9 is pivctally mounted on the vehicle frame 19b and the shorter lever arm is connected to the brace member 2I by a chain II or the like. Manipulation of the lever I9 will raise or lower the frame structure I8, 2| and the sickle bar assembly about ivots I9, 29, so that the cutting height of the shoe I1 and the sickle bar above the ground can be adjusted (Figure 3) and maintained by the toothed segment 19a.

In order to adjust the cutting angle of the sickle bar for the purpose of cutting vegetation along inclined surfaces, a hydraulic mechanism is preferably employed. The supporting bracket 34 which is rotatable with respect to the bracket 25 about a substantially vertical axis afforded by the swivel connection, has a socket member I2 formed at the rear end thereof and a hydraulic cylinder I3 is pivotally mounted within the socket on a pin 14. A hydraulic ram or piston 15 is movable within the cylinder I3 and carries a pulley 19 between forks l! at the free end thereof. A shaft 18 extends longitudinally of the vehicle and is carried by arms I9 which extend inwardly from the bracket 34 toward the vehicle. The rear end of the shaft 18 carries an idler pulley 89 which is spaced below the pivot pin 14 and inwardly thereof toward the vehicle. The rear end of the stationary supporting shaft 43 has a grooved segment member 8I rotatably mounted thereon and thus located forwardly of the idler pulley 89. The segment member 8| is rigidly connected to the shoe IT by a bracket plate 82 which is thus movable with the shoe. A chain or cable 83 has one end thereof fixed to the segment member 8|, as at 8Izz, and the chain passes over the segment member, then under the idler pulley 89, and over the pulley I6 on the ram I5. The opposite end of the chain 83 isconnected to an eye-bolt 84 which is threadedly secured to a bracket 85 mounted between the socketmember'l2 and the bracket 34. Since the through an angle of substantially 180 about the coincident axes of shafts 43,49 to adjust the cutting angle. The hand lever 19 can be operated to elevate the frame I8 to the dotted line position of Figure 3; 2

Operation of the hydraulic ram is effected by controlling the passage of fluid under pressure to and from the cylinder I3 through a flexible hose 86 which communicates with the lower part of the cylinder and also with a valve control unit 81. The valve control unit may be of any suitable type for controlling the passage of fluid from a supply line 88 to the hose connection 86 and to a return line 89. The unit is mounted on the vehicle frame and includes a control lever 99 which is conveniently located near the operators seat I3. The valve unit is constructed so that one position of the lever 99 (central position) will afford communication only between the supply and return lines 88 89, thus shutting off the hose connection 86 to the cylinder I3 so that the sickle bar assembly can be maintained in any adjusted position. Movement of the lever in one direction will connect the supply line 88 to the hose 86 so as to admit fluid to the cylinder 13 and thus elevate the piston I5 and cause rotation of the sickle bar assembly upwardly in a counterclockwise direction about the axes of shafts 43, 49. Movement of the lever 99 to the extreme opposite position will connect the return line 89 to the hose 88 so as to permit theescape of fluid from the cylinder I3, thus permitting the piston to descend and cause the sickle bar assembly to rotate downwardly in a clockwise direction about the axes of shafts 43, 49.

The fluid pressure system for operating the piston I5 will now be briefly described, reference being had to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. It is to be clearly understood that any suitable system may be employed for the desired purposes. The crank shaft 92 of the vehicle power unit extends forwardly and carries a pulley 93 over which a belt 94 passes. The belt 94 also passes over an upper pulley 95 which is mounted on the drive shaft 96 of a suitable type of oil pump (not shown) within a housing 91. The housing 91 and the inclosed pump mechanism are inclosed within the front part of the bracket device 98 and is adapted to cooperatewith the belt 94. A spring I93 normally tends to withdraw the idler pulley I92 from the belt 94 so as to loosen the belt, thus permitting it to slip relative to the pulleys 93, 95. In this manner, the belt andpulley I92 act as a clutch means permitting operation ofthe mowing machine without constantly rimning the oil pump. An

operating member I04 is mounted on the dashboard and is connected by a cable I05 to the pivoted idler pulley I 02. The cable I05 is trained over a pulley I08 on the vehicle frame. When the fluid pressure isneeded to operate the hydraulic adjusting mechanism for the sickle bar, the operator can pull out the member I04 so as to bring the idler pulley I02 into tight engagement with the belt 84, and this will tighten the belt and cause operation of the oil pump.

In connection with the adjustment of the cutting angle of the sickle bar, that is, the'angular disposition of the sickle bar assembly about the axis of the supporting shafts 43, 48, it is to be particularly pointed out that the adjusting mechanism, whether mechanical or hydraulic, as illustrated, is mounted for movement relative to the vehicle frame during the swing back of the sickle bar assembly and also during the adjustment of the cutting height thereof. Similarly, this adjusting mechanism is movable with the pivoted frame means I8, 2I during rising and falling movements of the sickle bar and shoe I l as a result of ground undulations. The flexible hose 86 permits relative movement of the piston and cylinder with respect to the vehicle frame.

In any predetermined angular position of the sickle bar assembly, the chain or cable 83 will not be subjected to additional strains during rising and falling of the sickle bar or during any adjustment of the cutting height, because the pulley 80, the pulley I6, the eye-bolt 84 and the chain connection 8Ia remain fixed relative to each other. the supporting bracket 34, horizontal pivoting of the bracket during the safety swing back of the sickle bar (dotted lines in Figure 2) will not cause additional strain on these connections for the angular adjusting mechanism. Thus, the mechanism for adjusting the cutting angle of the sickle bar is free to move with the sickle bar during its various other movements. Damage to the various connections is thus obviated. The framework I8, 2| is pivoted to the vehicle frame and supports the brackets 26, 34, which, in turn, support the power transmitting gearing and the sickle bar assembly. In addition, the sickle bar assembly and the supporting bracket 84 can pivot relative to the bracket 25 and the framework I8, II so as to permit the safety swing back of the sickle bar when an obstruction is encountered. The hydraulic ram and cylinder are mounted on the supporting bracket 84 for movement therewith:

While one form of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle adapted to carry a sickle bar, a frame extending outwardly from the vehicle and pivotally connected thereto for limited substantially vertical movement, a supporting member having pivot means extending longitudinally of the vehicle for supporting the sickle bar for angular adjustment, and connected to said frame for substantially horizontal pivotal movement to permit safety swing back of the sickle bar, flexible connecting means between the sickle bar and said supporting member, and hydraulic piston means carried by the supporting member and cooperating with Since these elements are supported by' said connecting means to control angular adiustment of the sickle bar about said pivot means.

2. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle adapted to carry a sickle bar, a frame extending outwardly from the vehicle andpivotally connected thereto for limited substantially vertical movement, a supporting member having pivot means extending longitudinally of the vehicle for supporting the sickle bar for angular adjustment, and connected to said frame for substantially horizontal pivotal movement to permit safety swing back of the sickle bar, a socket member carried by said supporting member, a ram carried in said socket member and movable toward and away from the supporting member, and cable means connecting the sickle bar and the supporting member and trained over the end of said ram whereby to effect angular adjustment of the sickle bar about said pivot means.

3. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle adapted to carry a sickle bar, a frame extending outwardly from the vehicle and pivotally connected thereto for limited substantially vertical movement, a supporting member having pivot means extending longitudinally of the vehicle for supporting the sickle bar for angular adjustment, and connected to said frame for substantially horizontal pivotal movement to permit safety swing back of the sickle bar, a cylinder carried by said supporting member and having a fluid pressure operated piston therein, fluid pressure supply and control conduits connected to said cylinder, and means engaging the piston and operable thereby for controlling adjustment of the sickle bar about said .pivot means.

4. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle adapted to carry a sickle bar, a frame extending outwardly from the vehicle and pivotally connected thereto for limited substantially vertical movement, a supporting member having pivot means extending longitudinally of the vehicle for supporting the sickle bar for angular adjustment, and connected to said frame for substantially horizontal pivotal movement to permit safety swing back of the sickle bar, a hydraulically actuated piston carried by said supporting member and having a roller at the free end thereof, a grooved segment connected to the sickle bar and having said pivot means as its axis, a pulley carried by the supporting member in the plane of the said segment and spaced laterally therefrom, and a flexible connector secured to the segment and to the supporting member and trained under said pulley and over said roller whereby to efiect angular adjustment of the sickle bar about said pivot means upon movement of said piston.

5. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle adapted to carry a sickle bar, frame means connected to the vehicle for supporting the sickle bar, a flexible connection between the frame means and the sickle bar, and actuating means supported entirely by the frame means and engaging the flexible connection intermediate the finds thereof for effecting adjustment of the sickle 6. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle adapted to carry a sickle bar, frame means for supporting the sickle bar and connected to the vehicle for limited substantially vertical movement relative thereto and for horizontal movement to permit safety swing back of the sickle bar, a flexible connection between the frame means and the sickle bar, and actuating means engaging the flexible connection intermediate the ends thereof for controlling and effecting adjustment of the sickle bar and said actuating means being supported entirely by the frame means and movable therewith to prevent damage to the flexible connection.

7. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle adapted to carry asickle bar, frame means extending outwardly from the vehicle'for supporting the sickle bar and capable of limited vertical movement and horizontal movement to permit safety swing back of the sickle bar, said frame means having a pivot extending longitudinally of the vehicle for supporting the sickle bar and permitting adjustment of the cutting angle of the sickle bar about the axis of said pivot, and actuating means supported entirely by said frame means and movable therewith during safety swing back for eifecting adjustment of the sickle bar about the axis of said pivot.

8. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle adapted to carry a sickle bar, a frame extending outwardly from the vehicle and pivotallyconnected thereto for limited substantially vertical movement, a supporting member having pivot means extending longitudinally of the vehicle for supporting the sickle bar for angular adjustment of the cutting angle about the axis of said pivot means and connected to the frame for substantially horizontal pivotal movement to permit safety swing back of the sickle bar, and actuating means carried by and movable with said supporting member and operable to control movement of the sickle bar about the axis of said pivot means whereby to control adjustment of the cutting angle.

9. A mowing machine comprising a vehicle 7 adapted to carry a sickle bar, a frame extending outwardly from the vehicle and pivotally connected thereto for limited substantially vertical movement,-a supporting member having pivot control adjustment of the cutting angle.

JOHN I. BLAIR. 

